Team Preview - Chennai Super Kings

The South Indian team from Chennai began their IPL 2008 campaign on a successful note with victories against the Punjab, Mumbai, Kolkata and Bangalore sides.

After a good start, the team had a minor setback when players such as Hayden, Hussey and Oram had to leave to fulfill their international duties.

Eventually, the team adjusted by making up the batting gaps left by the Aussies with major contributions from Dhoni, Raina and Morkel. The bowling department was secured with the arrival of Ntini.

The team won 8 of their 14 league matches to set up a semi-final affair against the Kings XI Punjab.

Consistent bowling and steady partnerships at the top saw the Chennai team beat the Punjab side. Given a target of 119 to score, the Super Kings cruised to victory in less than 15 overs earning a ticket to the final game against the Rajasthan Royals.

In what turned out to be an exciting final, Chennai batted first and posted a competitive total of 163 on board. However, the Rajasthan team were upto the task and a last ball finish saw them pinch the trophy from Chennai.

Whos in, whos out

As a team without any iconic players, the Chennai team is full of promising youngsters rubbing shoulders with experienced war horses.

The Tamil Nadu batsman Murali Vijay has been included into the team, following his Test debut last year. Sudeep Tyagi joins him after missing out on the 2008 season because of an injury

Chennai only bought three players at this year's auction. Apart from Thilan Thushara (USD 120,000) from Sri Lanka and George Bailey from Australia (USD 50,000) the Super Kings ensured that the Andrew Flintoff entered the Dhoni-led team as they spent a staggering $ 1.55 million to acquire the English all-rounder. This price puts Flintoff along with Pietersen as the highest paid IPL cricketers.

Who's out

Chennai Super Kings will be without Michael Hussey this time around after the Australian pulled out of the IPL due to exhaustion. Hussey, however, will be available for the knock-out stage should Chennai qualify.

Kiwi all-rounder Jacob Oram who was a doubtful starter has deemed himself fit and is currently with the team in South Africa.

Players to watch out for

MS Dhoni: He had a magical beginning as a captain with the Indian cricket team. Knowing the methods to get the best from his players, Dhoni would look at securing the IPL title which slipped from his fingers during the first season.

Albie Morkel: Albie Morkel has become an integral part of South Africa's team and for good reason. Morkel is a brilliant all-rounder who is capable of hitting big sixes and a wily customer with the ball. Batting in the lower middle order, Morkel is more than capable of turning the game around and would be difficult to control in conditions he is so familiar with.

Mathew Hayden: The Australian opener might have retired from international cricket after an incredible career but his stats in the first edition of the IPL are as intimidating as his bulky frame. Capable of unleashing some brutal strokes, Hayden got Chennai off to great starts last season and he is sure to be a big part of Chennai's plans with him being available for the entire duration of the tournament.

Manpreet Gony: Gony had a successful outing during the 2008 season, impressing the selectors with his tight line and sharp bounce. However, his performances at the international level were not quite up to the mark. He would be eager to put up a good show in South Africa to ensure that he is given another go at the highest level.

Trivia

L Balaji was the first bowler to take a hat-trick in the IPL.

Suresh Raina holds the record for the most catches in IPL 2008 with 10 catches. A total of 410 catches were taken in the tournament.

Chennai Superkings holds the record for posting the highest total. They scored 240/5 against Punjab in their opening game.

Albie Morkel holds the record for hitting the biggest six in the DLF Indian Premier League - 128 metres

Parthiv Patel was the only batsmen to have been dismissed on the first ball of the innings in the match between Chennai and Rajasthan.

Chennai Super Kings hit the most number of sixes in an innings in the IPL. They did this in the match against Punjab by hitting 16 sixes.

Manpreet Gony of the Chennai Super Kings bowled 3 maiden overs in the IPL. No one managed to bowl more maiden overs than him.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni was the unluckiest captain, winning just 5 tosses in 16 matches that he played in the IPL.